Maternal Mental Health Month, Week, and Day!

World Maternal Mental Health DayWednesday, May 2, 2018

Helping Mothers, Fathers, and Babies!
In many countries, as many as 1 in 5 new mothers experience some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMD). These illnesses frequently go unnoticed and untreated, often with tragic and long-term consequences to mothers, children, and fathers alike.

PSI and other leaders around the world launched the first World Maternal Health Day in 2016, the first Wednesday of May every year – which falls on May 2 in 2018. Organizations from around the world – including Australia, Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, UK, US – have united in a worldwide taskforce to raise awareness about maternal mental health through a collective social media drive and in-country events.

2020 Mom in the United States will focus on a campaign to lift stigma and shame, by encouraging moms to #RockTheBlueDot and embrace #RealMotherhood with #NoShame and to join the conversation with photos and posts on Twitter. Find out more on their Blue Dot Website and Facebook page.

In the United Kingdom, the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership (PMHP) theme for the week is “Support for All,” advocating for all families affected by perinatal mental illness to access the information and help needed to begin recovery. They will run themed days on their social media. Each will have its own unique hashtag, which will be paired with other exciting events which you can access on their Facebook page.

No Health Without Mental Health!

Increasing awareness will drive social change with a goal toward improving the quality of care for women experiencing all types of PMDs and reducing the stigma of maternal mental illness. We are encouraging mental health and healthcare professionals, friends, and relatives of new moms to listen and ask how she’s really feeling, while reassuring her that it’s OK seek help.

PSI provides a bridge between women and their families and trained professionals to promote healing and wholeness.

To advance PSI’s mission and support its dedication to maternal mental health: Donate Here